Luis A. Avila

Born in Holguin, Province of Oriente, Cuba, he was the son of the late Amador and Caridad Avila, and immigrated to the United States in 1949. After becoming an American citizen, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War earning the rank of sergeant. In 2009, he was one of the Fairfield Veterans' Wartime Service Medal recipients.

He worked at International Harvester and retired from Bridgeport Machines as a shipping supervisor. He was a member of the former Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport for many years, and had served as a deacon, financial secretary and volunteered in the Youth Group Ministry. He had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield for the last 15 years. He was also one of the original members of the Cuban Lyceum in Black Rock.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four daughters, Linda Avila Jaggy of Switzerland, Suzanne Sugrue of Fairfield, Louisa Correll of Fairfield and Christina Avila of Fairfield; nine grandchildren Luis, Margot, Peter, Jacqueline, Joseph, Stephanie, Julia, Daniel and Tamara; three brothers, Javier, Carlos and Edilberto Avila, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Jorge Avila.

A funneral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, in the First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, with the Rev. Edward Duffy officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06825. Arrangements are handled by the Spear-Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield. For information or to sign an online guest register, visit www.SpearMillerfuneralHome.com.